There are few places in the world that you can say are truly untouched: Matava Resort on the Fijian island of Kadavu is one.

Amongst coconut trees and jungle covered hills, Matava nestles on the coast of Kadavu facing out towards the blue Pacific. The resort describes itself  as a ‘genuine eco-hideaway’. At Matavadon’t expectvalet parking, a T.V. in each room  or 24 hour room service,but what you can expect is a taste of  the real Fiji, in an exquisite tropical settingwith some of the best diving in the world  only a short boat ride away.

Matava can accommodate  up to 24 guests. The bures (bungalows) are either twin, double, triple or quad so there is a variety of options to fit your budget. 

Traditional thatched Fijian ‘bures’ with timber polished floors, louvre windows, timber four poster beds and private decks are nestled in the rainforest to offer privacy, comfort and superb ocean views. Oceanview bures offer spectacular panoramas of The Great Astrolabe Reef and surrounding offshore islands. Waterfront bures are nestled along the foreshore, immersed in beautiful tropical gardens and surrounded by lush rainforest.

Bathroom facilities and showers are available as private facilities in most bures. There are shared facilities for three bures as well as the dormitory bure. Solar power provides the lighting and gas heats the water in each private facility bure.

For the budget traveller there are private bures with shared bathroom facilities and a dormitory bure that sleeps up to five people.

The restaurant at Matava is at the centre of the resort and the cuisine is something to be remembered. Whether it is Lovo (Fijian feast) or BBQ night the meals are always well presented and  of the highest quality.  Local dishes and seafood are top of the menu  but more traditional western food is also available.  Matava will cater for those with special dietary requirements but will need to be informed in advance.

Matava Resort offers activities and adventures for all those who wish to add a little spice to their time in paradise. Surfing, kayaking and windsurfing are close at hand. Kayaks are available for guests’ use, free of charge, and there are surf boards, a windsurfer and snorkelling equipment available for hire. There is also some great fun to be had sportfishing around the reefs and lagoons.  Due to the lush tropical environment, bush treks are stunning. The most popular of these tropical treks is to  the local waterfall - a brief walk to the nearby village where you will meet up with a guide who will escort you another twenty minutes to the delightful Matava waterfall, the most dramatic in Fiji! A cavern is formed by 2 huge boulders over a deep swimming pool with the waterfall dropping over 30 feet into the pool! Daylight in the cavern highlights the ochres, oranges and yellows of the rock which become magical with sparkling light reflected from the waterfall and pool. An alternate route to the waterfall is by kayak; a short excursion up the coast and in through the estuary  eventually linking up with the fresh water river. You will glide past tropical rainforest and wonderful bird life until you eventually come to the secluded waterfall.

For your own private piece of heaven you can kayak (or walk at low tide) to the small island opposite the resort. This small island offers white sand beaches, coconut trees and a sense of remoteness. Ask the resort to supply you with a picnic lunch so you can spend the day playing Robinson Crusoe.

The Great Astrolabe barrier reef is the fourth largest barrier reef in the world but is virtually unexplored and un-fished. From the edge of the reef, the sea floor plummets to about 500 meters and is over 3 kilometres deep within 2 miles of shore. The island itself is a pinnacle in the Pacific Ocean and is a magnet for game fish of all tropical species. It offers superb reef and blue water game fishing.

Every winter, the waters boil with huge bait balls and feeding tuna. Skipjack, mackerel and big eye tuna make superb light tackle sport and great bait for the marlin that start showing in September.

For the keen bill fish angler or those wishing to experience big game fishing for the first time, the boat can be on the 1000 metre Pacific drop off within 15 minutes trolling for black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin and Pacific sailfish.

Spend a few exciting hours hunting the big tropical predators such as Wahoo, Spanish mackerel and barracuda that cruise the reef system from the comfort of your very own game fishing boat.

Anglers can sport fish the various pinnacles and bommies within the reef system on Penn International 30lb class rods and reels or, weather permitting, head out through one of the barrier reef passages and step up to Penn International 50lb and 80lb class gear and fish the nearby  continental shelf drop off for billfish.

The Resort operates a policy of “Catch and Release” on all billfish and other game fish not destined for the dinner plate.

Make your stay in Fiji one to remember. Have your name and picture up in lights on the Matava fishing records board and website with your trophy fish and a
winning smile !

Fishing Boats

Bite Me: A brand new DeepVee310, "Bite Me" caters for up to 4 anglers. She is outfitted with toilet, shower, galley, fridge, saloon and game chair. She is fully equipped with all electronics and safety equipment. "Bite Me" caries Penn International 30lb, 50lb and 80lb big game trolling outits for game fishing, plus Shimano 8 kg and 10 kg gear for light tackle. In addition, she carrries casting rods and deep water jig outfits.

"Offensive Tackle" is a 17' British built warrior fishing boat. The boat is equiped with sonar, GPS, marine VHF radio and spare engine. Aboard is suitable safety equipment such as life jackets, EPIRB, flares and fire extinguisher. There are not toilet facilities on board. She carries 30lb Class Shimano TLD25s on Excaliber customer built rods and Penn Powersticks. In addition, she carries casting rods and deep water jig outfits.